A small group of professionals spent this week taking a close look at leadership and what it means to them and their communities. At Clemson University’s annual Leadership Summit, the group heard from Elizabeth Colbert-Busch, director of business development at the Clemson University Restoration Institute SCE&G Energy Innovation Center and recent candidate for South Carolina’s First Congressional District seat.
Colbert-Busch discussed the arc of her career and wanted an open discussion where she would also hear from her audience.
“What I find fascinating is that when you actually think about it, we have so much more in common than the things that pull us apart. If we could focus together on common goals, we reach them, and that’s when we can really make great things happen for all of us,” Colbert-Busch told UBJ before her talk.
She said life presents many milestones where people are called to step into a leadership role.
Attendees include entrepreneurs and executives from large and small companies and other organizations. This year’s class was still ongoing at press time, but Mike Williams, director of leadership development at Michelin, said his experience in the inaugural class in 2010 left a lasting impression.
“It gave me the unique opportunity to reflect on what it takes to be an effective leader,” said Williams, who still has his notes from that week. He said they discussed topics such as courage, personal development, integrity and creativity, some of which he saw as personal growth opportunities. The group still stays in touch, sometimes discussing leadership principles over cocktails.
Williams said his experience was typical. He learned about a hidden aspect of his leadership ability when his group chose him to be their spokesperson for the week. “Since then I’ve taken over as chairperson of the African-American employee resource group here at Michelin,” he said. “That wasn’t something I’d been striving to become, but recognizing that there’s people who believe in you, and that you can create a vision, and that there’s a need for somebody to step up, I did.”
The group project in 2010, a staple in the program, was to give input on what is now Falls Park, remembered Williams. “It wasn’t just a case study, it was actually soliciting ideas from us,” Williams said. “They wanted to make sure they were doing this thing the right way and make sure they’re not missing something…I feel very much a part of the solution to Falls Park.”
When asked what she hoped would be the takeaway from her talk, Colbert-Busch said, “We all have our stories, and interesting lives and things that we’re passionate about. It’s what you do with them that makes a difference. It’s how you approach life. We are a community. Your stories become ours, too.”
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The five-day Clemson University Leadership Summit will close with a keynote speech from Elizabeth Colbert Busch. Her speech will include the challenges she has faced throughout her life and she has risen above it all to become a leaders in the community. The speech is open and free to the public – there are 150 tickets available and they would need to register here.
WHAT: Clemson University Leadership Summit Keynote Speech
WHO: Elizabeth Colbert Busch, Director of Business Development at Clemson University’s Restoration Institute
WHEN: Friday, October 24 at 12:15 p.m.
WHERE: One Main Building, 5th Floor, Greenville
